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What lock methods can I use on my Samsung Galaxy device?

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When something matters to you, you protect it at all costs. That's why Samsung devices are built with defense-grade security from the chip up, ensuring that your data and device is secure from the moment it leaves the box. To make unlocking your phone easier there are multiple lock methods that you can use, including fingerprint recognition, patterns and PINs.

The range of available lock methods will differ depending on the specific device that you're using. Choose your preferred lock method from those supported on your device.

Setting your screen lock type as none means that you only have to tap on the screen or press the side or power key to unlock your device. This is the lowest level of security available and some features will be disabled as a result.

Some apps, such as banking apps, require greater security to function and biometric information such as fingerprint and face scans will be unavailable if this unlock method is selected.

1Tap None

2When your device is locked, tap the screen
or press the power
or side
key to unlock it

Pattern unlock allows you to unlock your device by drawing a pattern onto the screen. The pattern is drawn by connecting a series of at least four dots on a 3X3 grid without lifting off the screen. Once a dot has been used once, it cannot be used again.

This security type offers medium protection and can be used alongside banking apps and biometric information.

1Tap Pattern

2Draw the unlock pattern
that you want to use

3Once you are happy with your pattern, tap Continue

4Draw your pattern
again to confirm it

5Tap confirm

6When your device is locked, tap the screen
or press the power
or side
key

With PIN unlock you can use a series of numbers to lock your device. This lock method requires you to use between 4 and 16 digits and depending on your specific PIN offers medium to high protection. PIN unlocks can be used alongisde mobile banking apps and biometric information.

Please note: it is not recommended to use the same digit multiple times or a series of ascending and descending numbers. For example, 0000 and 1234 offer low protection

1Tap PIN

2Enter the PIN
that you want to use

3When unlocking with a PIN, you can choose to confirm your PIN by tapping OK or have your device automatically unlock when it detects the correct PIN. Tap Confirm PIN without tapping OK
to have your device automatically unlock

4Tap Continue
or Done
to confirm

5Enter your PIN
again

6If you selected Confirm PIN without tapping OK, your PIN will be set up. If not, tap OK
or Done

7When your device is locked, tap the screen
or press the power
or side
key

Password locks use a combination of characters to provide a high security lock for your device. Passwords must be between 4 and 16 characters and must contain at least one letter. You can choose to include symbols and numbers to make your password even more secure. Password locks can be used alongside mobile banking apps and biometric information.

1Tap Password

2Enter your password

3If you would like to check what you have entered, tap the view
icon

4Tap Continue
or Done

5Enter your password
again to confirm it

6Tap OK
or Done

7When your device is locked, tap the screen
or press the power
or side
key

Fingerprint recognition uses the unique characteristics of your fingerprint to unlock your device. This method is both highly secure and highly convenient as you only need to hold your finger against your device to unlock it.

To use fingerprint recognition to unlock your device you will need to set up a backup lock method such as a PIN, pattern or password. This is for additional security and will be asked for in specific circumstances, such as when the device is restarted.

Facial recognition uses the contours of your face to recognise you and unlock your device. Once your face has been registered, all you need to do is look at your device and it will unlock. While this unlock method is incredibly convinient, it is recommended that you use the fingerprint lock if you wish to prioritise security.

To use facial recognition to unlock your device you will need to set up a backup lock method such as a PIN, pattern or password. This is for additional security and will be asked for in specific circumstances, such as when the device is restarted.

1Before setting up face unlock, your device must have an additional lock method. Make sure that you have a pattern, PIN
or password
method set up

2Tap Face

3Tap Continue

4If you are wearing glasses, tap Yes.
If you aren't, tap No

Please note: if you wear glasses most of the time you should put them on before continuing to register your face

5Tap Continue

6Hold the device between 20 - 50 cm away from you, making sure that all of your face is within the box
shown on the screen

7Hold your device in front of you until your face has been registered. This should only take a few seconds

Once your face has been registered you can adjust some of the settings for face unlock.

8After your device has been unlocked through face recognition it will typically stay on the lock screen until you swipe. This is to prevent accidental unlocks of your phone. Tap the switch
to turn this off and go directly to the home screen

9Tap Done
to confirm your choice

10By default, faster recognition is enabled. Faster recognition makes unlocking your device faster and can recognise you with your eyes closed but reduces security. Tap the switch
if you would like to turn this feature off

11By default, your screen will brighten when trying to recognise your face. This makes it easier to unlock your phone in the dark. Tap the switch
if you wish to turn this feature off

12Tap OK
to confirm your choices

13When your device is locked, tap the screen
or press the power
or side
key

14A light
will circle the front facing camera, indicating that it is looking for a face

Please note: if your device does not find a recognised face within the first few seconds, it will stop looking. You can tap the screen or press the power or side key to try again

15Once your face has been recognised a padlock
icon will appear and unlock. Depending on the settings you have chosen, your device will then unlock automatically or you can swipe the screen to unlock it

Please note: iris scan is only possilbe on S8, S9, Note 8 and Note 9 devices. If you don't own one of these devices you will be unable to use the iris scan feature as it is not supported by your hardware

Iris scan captures the unique characteristics of your irises to create a lock for your device. Once your irises have been registered you will only need to look at your phone for it to recognise you and unlock. For the iris scanner to work effectively you will need to keep your device around 20-35 centimetres from your face.

To use the iris scanner to unlock your device you will need to set up a backup lock method such as a PIN, pattern or password. This is for additional security and will be asked for in specific circumstances, such as when the device is restarted.

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1Open the Settings
app

2Tap Lock screen and security

3Tap Iris Scanner

4Tap Continue

5If you haven't already, you will be asked to set a secure screen lock method. This could be a pattern, PIN or password

6Read the disclaimer, then tap OK

7For the best results you should be indoors, away from direct sunlight and not wearing contacts or glasses. Tap CONTINUE

Follow the on-screen instruction to finish registering your irises.

If you wish to remove your iris scans, return to the Iris Scanner settings page and tap Remove iris data. This option will only be available if iris scans have already been registered.

Please note: the intelligent scan feature is only available on Galaxy S9 and Note 9 devices

Intelligent Scan uses a combination of iris scans and face recognition for added convenience and security. Intelligent scan works well even in conditions where there is low or very bright light.

To enable the intelligent scan feature you will need to set up a backup lock method such as a PIN, pattern or password. This is for additional security and will be asked for in specific circumstances, such as when the device is restarted.

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1Open the Settings
app

2Tap Lock screen and security

3Tap Intelligent Scan

4Follow the on-screen instructions to register scans of your face and irises

If you're experiencing unusual behaviour on Samsung mobiles, tablets or wearables, you can send us an error report or ask us a question in the Samsung Members app.

This allows us to take a closer look at what is happening. The data is anonymised and only held for the duration of the investigation. Find out more about sending an error report through the Samsung Members app.